Hold in mind the perception of the breath energy as something that flows easily in, flows easily out. It's soothing. Refreshing. Energizing.

"There’s plenty to explore here. A lot of people find breathing a very dull thing to watch. They think it’s just in and out, in and out, and that seems to be about it. But if you realize that this element of perception influences the breath, and that feelings influence the breath, and that the breath influences your perceptions, and feelings, you’ve got some interesting interconnections to explore to understand the way you experience your own body and mind, and to understand how that experience affects other parts of your life.

That’s something you want to keep in mind. But if it’s too much to keep in mind at the moment, go back to just staying with the breath energy, and holding in mind the perception of the breath energy as something that flows easily in, flows easily out. It’s soothing. Refreshing. Energizing. And as you find it easier and easier to stay there, to keep that in mind, you can start adding the other elements: exploring other ways that you can shape the experience of breathing through your perceptions, all the ways you can use your breath to create a greater and greater sense of calm."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Strengthening Mindfulness"

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